Shock absorber with a function of transmission of electric power between sprung and unsprung parts of a vehicle

Abstract

A shock absorber has a function of transmitting electric power between sprung and unsprung electrical components. The shock absorber includes a pair of conductive elements. The conductive elements are coupled electrically to each other. One of the conductive elements is attached to the rod of the shock absorber. The other conductive element is mounted within the tube.

1. A shock absorber comprising:
 a main tube having one end closed; 
 a rod having one end inserted within the main tube for motion in its longitudinal direction; 
 a first conductive element mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the rod; and 
 a second conductive element mounted within the main tube and coupled electrically with the first conductive element in such a manner to allow transmission of electric power therebetween, 
 the main tube including:
 an inner tube including the second conductive element; and 
 an outer tube having the closed end, surrounding the inner tube, and defining a sealed reservoir chamber for working fluid with the inner tube, the sealed reservoir chamber being adapted to absorb change in amount of the working fluid present within a sealed hydraulic chamber of the inner tube within which the one end of the rod is arranged to move, 
 
 wherein: 
 at least one of the first conductive element and the second conductive element extends along a path of the motion of the rod, to hold the electrical coupling between the first conductive element and the second conductive element; 
 the first conductive element and the second conductive element are in sliding contact with each other; 
 one of the conductive elements is a brush; 
 the other conductive element is an electrode plate extending along the path of the motion of the rod; 
 the main tube includes an end cap at its other end; 
 the end cap includes a portion defining a through bore in sliding contact with the rod and a portion defining a recess in an inner surface of the through bore; 
 the brush is mounted in the recess; and 
 the electrode plate is located on the outer peripheral surface of the rod and extending longitudinally so as to keep in contact with the brush. 
 
   
   
     2. The shock absorber as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the brush is rotatable with respect to the electrode plate on a longitudinal axis of the rod. 
   
   
     3. The shock absorber as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of the combinations of the brush and the electrode plate, insulated from each other. 
 
   
   
     4. The shock absorber as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the brushes are disposed at a longitudinal location of the through bore, surrounding the rod; the electrode plates are disposed on the rod with a clearance therebetween; and each of the electrode plates is facing an associated one of the brushes. 
   
   
     5. The shock absorber as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the brush is biased toward the electrode plate to ensure the electrical coupling. 
   
   
     6. The shock absorber as claimed in  claim 5 , comprising a plurality of the brushes, wherein the brushes are disposed to bring the biasing forces in balance. 
   
   
     7. The shock absorber as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the second conductive element is in direct contact with the first conductive element for conductive coupling. 
 
   
   
     8. A shock absorber comprising:
 a main tube having one end closed; 
 a rod having one end inserted within the main tube for motion in its longitudinal direction; 
 a first conductive element mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the rod; and 
 a second conductive element mounted within the main tube and coupled electrically with the first conductive element in such a manner to allow transmission of electric power therebetween, 
 the main tube including:
 an inner tube including the second conductive element; and 
 an outer tube having the closed end, surrounding the inner tube, and defining a sealed reservoir chamber for working fluid with the inner tube, the sealed reservoir chamber being connected through a base valve to a sealed hydraulic chamber of the inner tube within which the one end of the rod is arranged to move, and adapted to absorb change in amount of the working fluid present within the hydraulic chamber of the inner tube, 
 
 wherein: 
 at least one of the first conductive element and the second conductive element extends along a path of the motion of the rod, to hold the electrical coupling between the first conductive element and the second conductive element; 
 the first conductive element and the second conductive element are in sliding contact with each other; 
 one of the conductive elements is a brush; 
 the other conductive element is an electrode plate extending along the path of the motion of the rod; 
 the main tube includes an end cap at its other end; 
 the end cap includes a portion defining a through bore in sliding contact with the rod and a portion defining a recess in an inner surface of the through bore; 
 the brush is mounted in the recess; and 
 the electrode plate is located on the outer peripheral surface of the rod and extending longitudinally so as to keep in contact with the brush. 
 
   
   
     9. The shock absorber as claimed in  claim 8 ,
 wherein the second conductive element is in direct contact with the first conductive element for conductive coupling.